You Have "Peri" What?: An Important Caveat

Before I go any further in this
series, I wanted to take some time to address an important issue which is certain
to come up sooner or later. That is, I am very aware that no matter how well
prepared you are when you enter your physician’s office, it is still not guaranteed
that he or she will actually listen to you.

Ironically, however, this is exactly why you should be well prepared. If you do not receive the
kind of attention and care you need from your physician, you must be willing to
seek another opinion. I am also very aware
this is probably not very good news for you to hear.

I distinctly remember how frustrated I felt during my own years
of perimenopause
as I slogged from one physician to another trying to get help. It was not only frustrating, but it greatly increased
my stress level which was already off the charts with crazy
mood swings, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia,
hot flashes, night sweats, and breasts so tender from estrogen dominance, I
could hardly walk across the room. In
fact, I was so stressed out and frustrated with it all that eventually I just
gave up -- which is exactly what I don’t want you
to do.

Looking back, I realize now that had I remained diligent and
determined, I would have eventually found a doctor who would listen to me, and
try to help me. As it turned out, I did
eventually stumble across bioidentical
progesterone which ultimately proved to be exactly what I needed. However, I could have avoided an abundance of
stress and despair had I just simply refused to give up.

But that was then, and this is now, and a lot has changed
since I was in perimenopause nearly 15 years ago. Today, many physicians are beginning to pay
attention and take notice of the problems women face when they seek help for
their perimenopause symptoms. So there is no reason for you to make
the same mistakes I made. Be wise and
learn from me. Believe me when I tell
you, if you remain vigilant, you will get
answers and the help you need for your perimenopause
symptoms.

To be continued…

Magnolia Miller is a
certified healthcare consumer advocate in women’s health and a women’s
freelance health writer and blogger at The
Perimenopause Blog.

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